News News

David recommends Gross should step down

A member of the ruling Social Democratic Party's executive committee, the former health minister Ivan David, recommended on Saturday at the committee's meeting that the chairman of the Social Democrats, Stanislav Gross, step down from his post. Mr Gross, however, has flatly refused. Others, including the chairman of the party's deputies club, Michal Kraus, as well the head of the Chamber of Deputies, Lubomir Zaoralek, backed Mr Gross, indicating that choosing a new leader so shortly after the party's congress was not the order of the day.

Mr Gross stayed on as the Social Democrats' chairman despite being forced out of the prime minister's office earlier this year, following a personal financial scandal. No Social Democrat leaders suggested on Saturday that the party should hold an extraordinary congress in the aim of having someone else fill the post.

Hussite Church patriarch gives up post

A well-known patriarch of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church, Jan Shwarz, stepped down from his post following a conflict on Saturday over who should administer a special mass at the meeting of the church diet. Delegates voted in favour of fellow patriarch Josef Spak. Differences between church members are apparent: Jan Shwarz has been the centre of controversy in the Hussite Church in recent weeks, apparently at odds with bishops over questions of financing, property, and an alleged lack of democracy in the church's organisation.

Czech tennis player makes Wimbledon Women's Final 16

Czech tennis player Kvetoslava Peschkeova has made it the Women's final 16 at Wimbledon for the very first time. On Saturday the 30-year-old downed the experienced Conchita Martinez - a former Wimbledon winner - in straight sets, 6:4, 6:1. Until now Peschkeova had never made it past Wimbledon's 2nd round: she will now face 8th-seeded Nadezda Petrovava of Russia.

Actor Jiri Kodet dies

Czech actor Jiri Kodet has died following prolonged illness. The much-loved stage and film actor, who came from a family famous for its theatre background, was known for dozens of roles throughout his career. Most recently he appeared in films like Jan Hrebejk's Pelisky and Petr Zelenka's cult hit Knoflikari (The Buttoners), for which Mr Kodet received the prestigious Czech Lion award in 1998. Jiri Kodet was 67.

Weather

Meteorologists say that the next couple of days will see thundershowers throughout the Czech Republic. Meteorologists warn that conditions will be poor for asthma sufferers, as well those suffering from heart-related illnesses, recommended to avoid strenuous activity.

Daytime temperatures on Sunday should reach highs of about 24 degrees Celsius.